Author:Ma Shou-Hua

Size:Length:221 x Width:85 (cm)

Size description：132×67 (221×85)

Introduction：Ma Shou-Hua (1893-1977), styled Muxuan and also known as Xiaojing, was born on Wenming Street in the North Gate area of Guoyang County, Anhui Province, and became a celebrated Taiwan traditional painter. As a child, he attended a private school and showed a passion for painting. He later went to Beijing to attend the Anhui Provincial Middle School and the Henan School of Law and Politics. In the early days of the Republic of China, he served as a procurator in the procuratorates of many provinces, a member of the court, chief of the civil affairs department of the Ministry of Justice, secretary general of the Nanjing municipal government, and chief secretary of the Ministry of Justice and Administration. In 1947, he came to Taiwan, where he served as a member of the Taiwan Provincial Government, chairman of the board of directors of the Land Bank, secretary general of the Judicial Yuan, president of the Administrative Court, member of the board of directors of the National Palace Museum, first president of the Chinese Art Association, chairman of the Chinese Calligraphy Association, vice president of the National Art Exhibition, advisor to the Presidential Office on National Policy, and employed at the School of Law of Soochow University. In 1950, Ma held a solo exhibition at Zhongshan Hall in Taipei, pioneering personal exhibitions in the Taiwanese art scene. He was friendly with local cultural and art circles in Taiwan, and served as a member of the review committee for the traditional painting section of the Provincial Exhibition. He participated in the Free China Art Exhibition. In 1958, he founded the "Qi You (Seven Friends) Painting Association" with fellow painters. His paintings were exhibited not only at home, but also in Europe, America, Asia, Africa and Japan.

During his studies in Beijing, his visits to the Liulichang area, known for its collection of ancient and modern calligraphy and paintings, heightened his interest in painting. In his spare time, he often studied painting and exchanged ideas with fellow painters and collectors, furthering his artistic path. After the war, many of his painting students, such as Shi Guangyuan, Ren Bo-Wu, Rong Tian-Qi, and Xu Wen-Bo (the wife of Chang Da-Chien), became famous in the art world.

Ma painted for pleasure, creating landscapes, pine and bamboo scenes, and floral works, and was adept at finger painting. His painting style was warm, precise in brushwork and elegant in color choice, reflecting his personal character. He diligently studied numerous ancient paintings, integrating the strengths of renowned artists past and present, emphasizing innovation rooted in tradition. For his landscape paintings, he followed the style of the Four Wangs of the early Qing Dynasty, referenced various artists from the Yuan and Ming Dynasties and Dong Ju, and inherited the techniques of the Southern School. His bamboo ink paintings took Su Shi, Wen Tong, Li Kan and Zhao Meng-Fu as models, captured their brush spirit and expressed his soul, thus establishing his own unique style. 

Accession Number:PT06902100